Bangladesh Imposes Curfew Amid Student Protests Over Job Quotas

The Bangladesh government will impose a curfew and deploy the army as student-led protests against government job quotas escalate. The unrest has resulted in numerous casualties, telecommunications disruptions, and nationwide violence. International communities have expressed concern, urging a peaceful resolution. High unemployment and economic instability fuel the protests.

The Bangladesh government has announced a nationwide curfew and the deployment of the military as student-led protests against government job quotas intensify, BBC Bangla reports. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's press secretary confirmed that an official decision on the curfew will be released shortly.

Tensions escalated as three individuals were killed on Friday amid police crackdowns on the persistent demonstrations, despite a ban on public gatherings. Violence has spread across Dhaka, with police using tear gas and fires reported throughout the capital. Telecommunications were disrupted, and train services were halted as protesters blocked roads and clashed with security forces.

International communities, including the U.S. Embassy and the European Union, have expressed serious concerns over the increasing violence and urged for a peaceful resolution. Protests, triggered by quota systems and compounded by economic distress, notably high youth unemployment, have opened old political wounds and led to widespread unrest in the nation.